MADISON – Today, information was released that Darrell Brooks Jr, the suspect in the tragedy in Waukesha, has been charged with crimes 10 times since 1999. Most recently, he was charged in an incident in which he is accused of running a woman over with his vehicle in Milwaukee, and later released on $1,000 cash bail – an amount that the Milwaukee’s District Attorney’s office described today in a statement as “inappropriately low.” Based on this, the DA’s office will be conducting an internal review. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:
“For someone with a violent track record like Darrell Brooks Jr. to be released only to turn around and re-offend just weeks later, makes the events we witnessed in Waukesha even more heartbreaking.
“I am encouraged that the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office will be conducting an internal review to analyze what went wrong with their risk assessment systems, and what can be done moving forward. This investigation must be open and transparent in order for the public to have confidence that our criminal justice system is keeping perpetrators of domestic abuse and violence from committing similar violent acts again.
“I send my sincerest condolences to the loved ones of those who were harmed or lost someone during this horrible tragedy. I want to thank the first responders, health care workers, and many others who responded quickly to provide care to those in need.”
